CELTIC start their defence of the Scottish Premier League title at Parkhead against last season's surprise package Ross County.

Neil Lennon's men will face the Staggies in the opening game of the 2013-14 campaign on August 3.

The Hoops' second match will be at Aberdeen two weeks' later, with the scheduled home match against St Mirren on August 10 set to be postponed to allow the Scottish side to play Liverpool in a friendly in Dublin.

Partick Thistle's first SPL season in nine years begins with a home match against Dundee United. Alan Archibald's men are at Ross County the following week, with a home match against Hearts following on August 17.

Tommy Wright's reign as St Johnstone manager starts with a home game against financially-stricken Hearts. Wright took over at McDiarmid Park last week following the departure of Steve Lomas to Millwall, while Hearts this week applied to go into administration.

Inverness who finished fourth last season start with a home match against St Mirren. The other opening-day contest sees Aberdeen take on Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.

Motherwell, who finished runners-up last season, begin with a match at Hibernian the following day. They are also in action the following Sunday, with Aberdeen visiting Fir Park.

In Irn-Bru Division Two, Rangers have a home match against Brechin on the opening day, August 10, before trips to Stranraer and Airdrie.